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Friday, February 13, 2015

Countdown to 9 months of adventure!

That's me pretending to be super excited that in less than 10 days mi amor and I are leaving for 9 months away from home!!

Truth is I'm a bit excited and a bit apprehensive and a bit sad and a bit head in the sand and a bit missing home already....

Excited to see family and friends in the US and to be teaching in 12 cities!!

Beyond excited to be going to the UK, Ireland and Europe for 4 1/2 months (for the first time!) with workshops in so many amazing places and lots of time off in between to explore. San Sebastian Spain for my fiftieth birthday with my sweet family...blessed beyond!

.....and super excited to wrap the whole trip up with a month in our beloved Mexico during which time we will visit the Virgen de Juquila, coming full circle and giving thanks for favors granted since our family pilgrimage there in 2008.

Sienna in 2008 looking at the thousands of handmade thank you crosses that are scattered across the hillside outside of Juquila, put there by thousands of Pilgrims who attribute their answered prayers and miracles to the brown skinned Virgencita. You can read more about her here

Pilgrims about to enter the church, many of them have traveled hundreds of miles, some make the final part of the journey on their knees.

Apprehensive because my body craves routine, these past two years more so than ever as I try to find a way to navigate an apparent mild but simmering colitis flare up. I'm grateful that in terms of my day to day life it is more of an annoyance than an obstacle but I do worry (in my down times) that the stresses of travel could make it worse. Mostly though I am even grateful for this as it has made me reassess some of the things in my life that I definitely needed to eg more balance, less work, more play, calm time, good food choices. I'm not perfect by any means but definitely getting better.

Sad because its a time of letting go ( yeah yeah that's what I'm so good at teaching others to do!), letting go of my babies, now incredible young women, Santana so happy with her lovely Jacob, both of them staying here to look after our home and kitties, Sienna finished high school and off on her own to discover the world!! She's 17 for goodness sake!! Who on Earth encouraged them to spread their wings and follow their dreams so young?? Oh yeah that's right we did....

Head in the sand because oh my.......there's just so much to think about and plan and do and we still have to finish our taxes from last year before we leave and I've just opened session two of Paint Mojo the ecourse and Bella needs a weekly injection for arthritis and.....trying to just breathe and do it all little by little and remembering that actually, we much prefer to be accidental travelers, leaving gaps in our itineraries that unexpected and wonderful adventures can fall headlong into :)

and missing home already, well that's just the Cancerian in me and as some of you know our home has been in a constant renovation for many years, room by room, mudbrick by mudbrick and with the final bathroom reno we are just about finished. Did I mention I could probably move into that bathroom and never leave. ♥

before 2006

after..yes I'm married to a miracle worker. ♥

the bathroom you never want to leave :)

But I'm saying a resounding yes to my adventure, through the trepidation, the exhilaration and the big unknowns! Its really the only way to live don't you think?

Maybe you'd like to say YES to an adventure of your own and join me along the way.....

My whole itinerary and other possibilities to join in the Paint Mojo fun right here!

(also two brand new 2015 workshops just announced in the Netherlands and Liverpool, UK-email me for details info@tracyverdugo.com)

Can you feel a case of creative wanderlust coming on? Its contagious you know ♥

I'll be dropping in here lots more as we travel, so even if you cant come along in the flesh stay tuned for some armchair travels as I keep you all posted about our grand adventure! :))

lots of love Tracy

PS My February session of Paint Mojo the ecourse starts today and the classroom is buzzing already! If you cant make it to a live class this year come on over and check out whats on offer virtually here

AND stay tuned for the first in my very affordable Mini Mojo video workshop series coming up soon~Animalitos!!

Even though they bring some hesitations and some worry, you have fabulous changes on your horizon! Last year, my final year before turning 50, I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone and PAINT again and explore new places and meet new people. All my children are grown and I have been an empty nester a few years, so I understand that anxious anticipation. ;-) I envy you your exotic travels, but look SOOOO forward to meeting you in Portugal!! Safe travels and peaceful heart space wishes to you. ♥

My dear awesome, wonderful, talented, creative friends! It's that time of the year again, a time for recaps and reflections.......

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. ~Rumi

Followers

sweet words from students :)

Dear Tracy,

I have had such an amazing response to your workshop. It has gone far beyond the painting of a picture. You have an incredible , supportive and intuitive energy that is contagious. Teaching others about freeing yourself up, from the ever present ‘critical mind’, is life changing. I am so inspired by your wonderful workshop. I have been applying simple messages from the day into my everyday life, and the roller coaster of life is so much richer and exciting with the knowledge of letting go and trusting in the process. This wonderful painting (that I have hung above my computer) reminds me every day that life always has a way of working out for the better if we just let go.....

Your way of teaching is subtle, yet powerful, and you guide others to discover for themselves important insights. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of this very special day

~Vanessa

Thanks again Tracy for such a wonderful, colourful, transformative, powerful, peaceful weekend.....I really see how much I get caught in detail and perfection and beautifying and how this has it's value but as you pointed out to me, if I'm feeling like I'm tensing and tightening up with this then move the energy, shift and also be bold to make big changes if things aren't working! That's a big one. But this is life, nothing ever stays completely the same does it!SO yes thanks SO very much for your colourful, loving, gentle yet powerful and generous sharing on the weekend. Looking forward to journeying more with you creatively and in friendship.~Katie